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Okay, Ambastronauts, we have visited Earth's moon, Mercury and Venus. You should have completed your planet data charts for the first two planets and you should have your "pictures" for both planets and the moon.
Which planet looked more like the moon?
Which planet had little atmosphere?
Which planet was hotter, Mercury or Venus?
We have a long voyage ahead, so be sure to keep good notes. While you may think you'll keep things straight in your head, you will soon forget which place was which unless you write it down.
Don't forget:
My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants make their own food. We were curious to see just how smart some of our Ambastronauts were. Starting with a volunteer, the teacher gave that student a handful of exhaled air. After sprinkling the student's head with a bit of water, the teacher shined the overhead on the student and demanded food. Would you believe that the Ambastronaut was unable to provide even one candybar?!? Not one grain of sugar was produced...much less any oxygen to breathe. Was the student as talented as even the simplest plant? You decide.
Leaf Me Alone!
Actually, I'd like the company of at least ten leaves (all different, please) on Monday. We will be analyzing leaves to find the parts, simple vs. compound, shapes, veins, angiosperm vs. gymnosperm, arrangement, and so on. Ambastronauts will be creating plant notebooks, completing puzzles, and setting up gardens in our classpacecraft. See the links page for online resources.
Fossil Decline
Planet Earth has been under the influence of human beings for several thousand years now. Only in recent history, however, have humans really begun taking a toll on the resources of our planet. We have been burning, at an alarming rate, the fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) that were created millions of years ago. What effect does that burning have on the environment? And what will we do when they're gone?
Ambastronauts have been studying the alternative energy possibilities of solar energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, and nuclear energy. We haven't found a perfect solution yet, have you? |
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How Fast Does Light Travel?
Light travels, in a vacuum, at a speed of 186,282 miles per second. The light which we see as we look at our sun or at other stars had to travel at this speed to get to our eyes. In many cases, it took the light billions of years to reach us.
1. How many seconds are there in a minute?
2. How many miles would light travel in a minute? an hour? a day? a week? a year?
Travel to the closest star other than the sun would take more than 4 years at the speed of light. At rocket speeds, a round trip to the outer limits of the solar system would take nearly a century.
1. What kinds of problems might people have with space even if they could easily navigate their rockets into space?
2. What possible breakthroughs could help make extended space travel possible?
Too Hot, Too Cold, Just Right
Once upon a time there were three students. The first student took his money and squandered it on video games. The next student put his money in the secret compartment of his wallet and forgot he had it there. He missed the dance because he had no money for a ticket...or so he thought. The third student took his money to his stockbroker and invested it. He made so much money that, to this day, he is living off the interest!
The three students are like Venus, Earth and Mars. Scientists believe that the sun was not as hot when it was younger. They also believe that all three planets started out with much the same resources--like the students with the money. Venus had many, many active volcanoes.
1. Do you know what gas volcanoes give off?
2. Would the presence of that gas make the planet warmer or cooler? Why?
3. What would happen to any water that was on the planet?
Mars didn't have as many volcanoes as Venus did. It did have lots of dust storms.
1. What would dust storms do to the sun's rays?
2. Would dust storm make the planet warmer or cooler?
3. What would happen to any water that was on the planet?
On Earth, people are not being careful. They are polluting the air and the water.
1. What kinds of problems do you foresee might result if this goes unchecked?
2. Are we seeing any adverse effects yet?
3. What can we do to help?
Is This a Good Place to Build a Space Colony?
1. Of the inner planets, which one would provide the best alternate site for colonization other than the Earth?
2. What would we need to change on that planet for people to be able to live there?
3. Do you think it is a good idea for scientists to be thinking about space colonies? Why or why not?
4. Would you enjoy having a job as a space scientist? Which sounds more interesting-- being an astronaut, a space colonist, a rocket scientist, or working in mission control? Why?
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